We’ll Always Have Paris
April 28, 2026
Our feet shifted the path’s fine, golden-white dust as we walked around the Jardin des Tuileries. We were looking for a scene that would inspire us to sit down and sketch.
When we finally settled on the Minotaur statue, K said “We mustn’t let comfort get in the way of what we want to draw.”
“You’re absolutely right” I replied, as we were pulling the heavy green chairs of the Jardin closer to the mythical creature.
We sat down and realised we would have the sun in our eyes while drawing, thus making the experience very uncomfortable indeed… So we swiftly turned the chairs around and started drawing the Centaur Nessus abducting Deianira instead.
The Centaur Nessus abducting Deianira. Didn’t have time to finish the sketch but I sort of like it as it is.
My friend had assured me that my trip to Paris would get me out of the creative slump I was in, and she was right!
Being in a beautiful city full of art was definitely inspiring. But I think what I needed most was spending time with friends. I hadn’t realised how much I needed it to fill my cup.
Drawn in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Left: Statue of Pierre Guillaume Frédéric Le Play par André Joseph Allar. Right: I have a thing for chairs now.
Besides, my artist friend K really motivated me to sketch while we were out and about. We drew every day, if only for 20 minutes sometimes. Another lesson I keep forgetting: I don’t have to set aside hours at a time to draw, just a little bit every day is perfectly fine.
Coincidently (or, you know, as a sign from the universe) I received a newsletter on the day I came back home, about the benefits of drawing daily. Written by Christopher Thornock, an illustrator, artist and educator, the newsletter makes the case for the 10-minute sketch practice. I strongly recommend reading it, as well as subscribing to Christopher Thornock’s Substack.
Another unfinished sketch, from our day out in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
So, have I drawn daily since then? Not quite, I had a lot going on during my first week back. But I’ve drawn more than I had in the weeks prior to the trip, so there’s that. I have faith I can build a daily practice. After all, I’ve done it before, back in 2024.
Judith xx
Quick sketches made as I was visiting the Musée du quai Branly. I’d never seen so much (if any?) Oceanian art before!
Monthly inspiration
Well, as you can probably tell from the above, inspiration was aplenty this month! I’m choosing the artist Leonora Carrington (1917 - 2011), whose work I saw at the Musée du Luxembourg.
I’m in awe of her imagination. The worlds she created are fascinating and the details in her art so mesmerising. Which is why I’m only showing you close-ups below. At such a small scale, showing you the full pieces would not do them justice.
I recommend listening to this episode of The Great Women Artists podcast to learn all about Carrington’s life and work.
Close-ups on Leonora Carrington’s paintings
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